Picture Archiving And Communication System System Research Articles

Assessment of a neuroradiology picture archiving and communication system in clinical practice.

The goal of this study was to determine if our neuroradiology picture archiving and communication system (PACS) is capable of improving the efficiency and function of the management and review of neuroradiologic images. A neuroradiology PACS module developed in our department was evaluated in the clinical environment from February 1990 through July 1991. The overall evaluation focused on three aspects: (1) image delivery performance, (2) system availability, and (3) user acceptance. Image delivery performance was evaluated by analyzing the time spent on each modularized task with both the film-based system and the PACS system. The system availability was examined by observing the downtime occurrence and uptime probability of individual hardware components in the PACS module. User acceptance was evaluated through a survey done with the display workstation. Under regular operating conditions, the PACS outperforms the current film-based operation. The overall PACS module availability is more than 92%, with the display workstation available more than 99% of the time. The overall user acceptance of the system is 3.4 on a four-point ranking scale. This study has demonstrated the full functionality and clinical usefulness of our neuroradiology PACS. On the basis of the results of this study, a large-scale PACS has been designed and implemented in our department.

The practical use and evaluation of picture archiving and communication system in the department of orthopaedic surgery

A picture archiving and communication system (PACS) was started in June 1989 in the outpatient clinic of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan. The PACS system has several advantages: space savings for storage of images, safe custody and quick access to image data, simultaneous access to image data, the possibility of obtaining good quality data on utilization of images, and applications for medical education and resident training. However, this system has just begun, and several problems must still be solved. In this article, we describe our experiences with the PACS system in the outpatient clinic of the department of orthopaedic surgery.

Top-down design of a picture archiving and communications system (PACS) by means of simulation

The development of picture archiving and communications systems (PACS) for medical applications can be regarded as a challenging field in medical informatics. Since 1982, several projects have been started into this direction worldwide. The Dutch IMAGIS (Image Information System) project, started in 1984, is one of them. Within this project, a top-down design strategy is chosen, with the following first steps: (1) A thorough information analysis for a Radiology Department, in which both qualitative and quantitative aspects are included. Such an analysis can be used to estimate the workload on a future PACS system. (2) The construction of a flexible performance prediction tool, based on discrete even simulation. Such a tool can be used to predict the performance of a certain computer system configuration under a certain workload. Based on the information analysis, and using the performance prediction tool, a PACS system is drafted for the thorax section of the Diagnostic Radiology Department of the Leiden University Hospital. In this first design attempt, the assumption was made that current working procedures concerning images will be maintained as much as possible.

PACS in practice: the status of the PACS project at the St. Radboud University Hospital. Part A: Introduction and the picture system.

A so-called bottom-up approach of a Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) is initiated by existing clinical questions. It is investigated how far existing Data-Acquisition (DA) modalities combined with the existing computer infrastructure of the hospital can provide soil to a, at first local, PACS system. Examples of current research projects in Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA), Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) demonstrate how image and raw data processing evolve from applications based on a general matrix manipulation software package to projects within the field of PACS. Starting from the existing facilities a stepwise increase of connections and expansions of required features is going to be brought about by separately considering the picture system, the communication system and the archive system. A three step phasing is proposed: (1) Software linking; (2) Hardware linking: small scale; and (3) Hardware linking: local area network. Examples are given from the first phase, i.e. the development and expansion of software on existing DA-modalities or processing hardware to receive the data on floppy disk, hard disk or tape. Data are converted and transported for further processing: (a) within the department; (b) between hospital departments; and (c) between research centres. With regard to the picture system special attention has to be given to the requirements for digitizing analogue film images and the reading of images from monitor screens instead of films on lightboxes.